Marina of the Year Awards announced at London Boat Show

THYA Marina of the Year Awards 2015 at the CWM FX London Boat Show 2015. Credit onEdition

The Yacht Harbour Association (THYA) has announced the winners of its Marina of the Year Awards for 2016.

Now in its third year, the awards were open to Gold Anchor accredited marinas both in the UK and overseas. The winning marinas are considered the best by their customers in the UK Coastal, UK Inland, International and Superyacht categories.

TYHA, a group association within British Marine, worked closely with partners GJW Insurance to encourage marina customers to vote for their favourite marina which culminated in more than 4,500 votes being cast, a 48% increase from the 2015 awards.

The awards have developed significantly with votes being cast for 88 marinas on marinaawards.com

Winners and runners up of the awards were presented with laser etched glass trophies and framed certificates at the London Boat Show ceremony, by David Perfect, managing director of GJW Insurance and Sarah Hanna, chairman of The Yacht Harbour Association.

The Marina of the Year 2016 winners and runners up were:

UK Coastal Marina of the Year 2016 (over 250 berths)
Winner – Lymington Yacht Haven
Runner up – Mayflower Marina

UK Coastal Marina of the Year 2016 (under 250 berths)
Winner – Poole Quay Boat Haven
Runner up – Southampton Town Quay

UK Inland Marina of the Year 2016
Winner – Overwater Marina
Runner up – Caen Hill Marina

International Marina of the Year 2016
Winner – Marina de Vilamoura
Runner up – Saint-Quay Port d’Armor

Superyacht Marina of the Year 2016
Winner – IGY Yacht Haven Grand
Runner up – Porto Montenegro

Jon White, general manager of The Yacht Harbour Association, said: ‘My congratulations to all the winners’ runners up and all marinas voted for in the 2016 Marina of the Year competition.

‘The increased number of marinas votes and nominated marinas makes the finalists achievements even more impressive, they clearly know how to look after their customers!

‘Our feedback is that the awards have encouraged Gold Anchor accredited marina operators and their staff to go that extra mile and build even closer relationships with their berth holders which supports our Gold Anchor objective of raising stands of customer service.’

Lymington Yacht Haven’s marina director Rupert Wagstaff receiving the UK Coastal Marina of the Year 2016 award

Lymington Yacht Haven’s marina director Rupert Wagstaff said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to scoop this award – it’s a great way to start 2016. I must praise and thank all the staff at Lymington Yacht Haven for their hard work, professionalism and for setting the very highest of standards.

‘This award is extra special as it is conducted by a public vote. We have been overwhelmed by the support shown with over 500 positive comments received from our nominees which confirms that we are getting something right and that we are achieving consistently high standards with our facilities and outstanding customer service. We’re extremely grateful to our berth holders and visiting boat owners who voted for us.

‘All my staff are beaming with pride and I am too! Thank you to TYHA and sponsors GJW Insurance for the recognition!’

Dylan Kalis, managing director of Yacht Havens Group, commented on winning the UK Coastal Marina of the Year Award: ‘We are extremely proud that we have been awarded such a prestigious accolade, along with the Five Gold Anchor Award in 2015, which is a benchmark within the industry.

‘We would like to thank the TYHA and sponsors for hosting these awards. This award is a credit to our amazing staff and a reflection of their continual hard work and professionalism in delivering the highest level of service year-on-year, which makes Lymington Yacht Haven so worthy of both awards.

‘I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for Lymington Yacht Haven, many of who are regular visitors from our other marinas around the UK and the Netherlands where we strive to offer the same high level of service and facilities.’

John Binder, marina manager of Poole Quay Boat Haven and Port of Poole Marina said: ‘I am delighted to receive the UK Coastal (under 250 berths) Marina of the Year award 2016 for Poole Quay Boat Haven and Port of Poole Marina.

‘This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of my very experienced permanent staff and my enthusiastic temporary summer season staff (many of whom return year after year).

‘I would particularly like to thank all of our customers who voted for us – without whom this award would not have been possible. Special thanks are owed for the support of Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, our parent company.’